Story highlights
Sergio Garcia closing on first win in nearly three years
Garcia leads Castello Masters in his native Spain by eight shots
A superb seven-under 64 takes him clear of field in European Tour event
Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee his nearest challenger after a 66
Sergio Garcia looks set to end a near three-year winless drought as he carries a commanding eight-shot lead into the final round of the Castello Masters in Spain.
Garcia carded a third round seven-under 64 to take total control of the European Tour event in Castellon on a course where he was club champion at the age of 12.
The former world number two, who shot a 63 Friday to hit the front, went into the clubhouse on 19-under 196 with Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee his nearest challenger on 11-under 204 after a 66.
Third on 10-under is England’s Ross McGowan, who is battling to keep his Tour card, and joint fourth one further back are Scot Richie Ramsay, Englishman Anthony Wall and Spain’s Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano.
It is a welcome return to form for Garcia, who will be bidding for his 19th professional victory, but slipped down the rankings after a dramatic loss of form.
Leading Swede Alexander Noren by two after two rounds, Garcia pulled clear with a birdie on the seventh followed by an eagle on the next hole after a superb three-wood approach.
Four birdies in a row from the 13th and another on the last saw him out of sight of his chasers.
Noren fell away with a third round 73 to join a four-strong group on 205.
Garcia told the official European Tour website: “It’s well set up, but it’s not over. Anybody can shoot a round like I did the last couple of days.
“I will have to be very focused. Everybody is going to to try to attack me and I have to realize that,” the 31-year-old added.
Garcia steadily improved in 2011 with a ninth place finish in the British Open and 12th at the U.S. PGA Championships to climb back into the top 50.
If he wins the title Sunday it could see him just outside the top 30.
